Looking for Something To Do? Free Events July 11 to 17

With apologies that I don't have access to my laptop and only have my tablet at my disposal...

...and all the limitations that entails...

...including can't seem to load photos and there are formatting issues galore...

...which caused me to be really late posting this...


Here are events scheduled Saturday, July 11, to Friday, July 17.

All events are free, so take a look. And don't you dare say there's nothing to do in Pasadena!

• Frankie Avalon will perform all his iconic hits and more Saturday, July 11, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner at the park.

• The Old Pasadena Film Festival presents Paper Moon (1973, PG) starring Ryan O'Neal and Tatum O'Neal Saturday, July 11, at 8:30 p.m. at Central Park. When a con artist is unexpectedly saddled with a nine-year-old relative, he teaches her the tricks of the trade. Come as early as 7 p.m. for DJ music and food trucks, or bring a picnic.

• The Old Pasadena Film Festival presents Romeo + Juliet (1996, PG-13) starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes Saturday, July 11, at 8:30 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado. The adaptation of Shakespeare's romantic tragedy is updated to modern times in Verona Beach.

• The second Sunday of every month is free admission day at the USC Pacific Asia Museum. On Sunday, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. enjoy traditional songs and dances of Nepal in the courtyard, entry to all of the galleries and everything else the museum has to offer.

• The Summer Jazz Series in the Playhouse District kicks off with Grey Beret's smooth jazz Sunday, July 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Vroman's courtyard.

• Bobby Rodriguez will perform Latin jazz Sunday, July 12, at 7 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. A pre-concert festival will begin at 5:30 p.m. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner at the park.

• The Old Pasadena Film Festival presents The Witches (1990, PG) starring Angelica Huston and Mai Zetterling Sunday, July 12, at 8:30 p.m. at Central Park. A young boy stumbles on a witch convention and must stop them, even after after he has been turned into a mouse. Come as early as 7 p.m. for DJ music and food trucks, or bring a picnic.

• Activities for Pasadena Public Library's Read to the Rhythm summer reading program this week include the following (and much more):
• For adults: Channel your creative spirit as you explore working with pastels Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, July 14, 15 and 16, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Central Library.
• For teens: Ever thought about juggling cheeseburgers? Umbrellas? Balancing a wheelbarrow? Witness crazy juggling and comedy by Michael Rayner Tuesday, July 14, at 3:30 p.m. at La Pintoresca Branch Library.
• For children: Sing songs, listen to stories and play instruments while journeying on the Music Boat Thursday, July 16, at 10 a.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library.
• Download the summer newsletter for the full schedule.  

• After sailing across the solar system for more than nine years, NASA's New Horizons unmanned spacecraft will finally have its close encounter with Pluto. Gather with others to hear the news from the spacecraft as it approaches the icy dwarf planet Tuesday, July 14, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Crawford Family Forum at Southern California Public Radio. The Planetary Society's Matt Kaplan will talk with New Horizons scientists, Pluto watchers and Planetary Society brass, and there will be a live webcast with other experts.

• The all-female Mariachi Bella, dressed in traditional costumes, will perform a mix of iconic and new mariachi music Tuesday, July 14, at 6 p.m. at Memorial Park. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner at the park. 

• The Little Mermaid (1989, G) with the voice talents of Jodi Benson and Patt Carroll will be shown on the big screen Wednesday, July 15, at 1 p.m. in the Donald R. Wright Auditorium at Central Library. Ariel, a mermaid princess, makes a Faustian bargain with an unscrupulous sea witch so she can meet a human prince on land.

• Members of the repertory company at A Noise Within will present a reading of Ronald Harwood's The Dresser Wednesday, July 15, at 7 p.m. The gay personal assistant of a deteriorating actor struggles to get him through a difficult performance of King Lear. RSVPs are required: 626-356-3100.

• The third Thursday (and first Friday) of every month is free admission night at the Pasadena Museum of California Art. On Thursday, July 16, from 5 to 8 p.m. enjoy the exhibitions Someday is Now: The Art of Corita Kent; Alexandra Grant and Steve Roden: These Carnations Defy Language; and everything else the museum has to offer.

• The Funky Punks will perform for children (and everyone) Thursday, July 16, at 7 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. A pre-concert festival will begin at 5:30 p.m. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner at the park.

• Showboat (1951, NR) starring Howard Keel and Kathryn Grayson will be shown on the big screen Friday, July 17, at 1 p.m. in the Scott Pavilion at the Pasadena Senior Center. The daughter of a riverboat captain falls in love with a charming gambler, but their fairytale romance is threatened when his luck turns sour. You do not have to be a member of the Pasadena Senior Center to attend.

• Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra will perform jazz Friday, July 17, at 8 p.m. at the Levitt Pavilion. A pre-concert festival will begin at 6:30 p.m. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner at the park.

• This month marks the 50th anniversary of Mariner 4, NASA's first unmanned spacecraft to fly to Mars. Scientists were surprised by what the first images revealed, a theme that has continued through a half century of exploring the red planet. The documentary film The Changing Face of Mars will be shown on the big screen Friday, July 17, at 7 p.m. in the Vosloh Forum (building UU on this map) at Pasadena City College with introductory remarks by JPL's Blaine Baggett.

• The Old Pasadena Film Festival presents A Room with a View (1985, NR) starring Helena Bonham Carter and Maggie Smith Friday, July 17, at 8 p.m. at Distant Lands. A young woman in the restrictive and repressed culture of Edwardian-era England falls in love with a free-spirited young man.

• Movies in Park presents Paddington (2014, PG) with the voice talents of Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins Friday, July 17, at 8 p.m. at Villa Parke. A young Peruvian bear travels to London in search of a home and finds himself lost and alone at Paddington Station where he meets a kind family that offers him a temporary haven. Bring a blanket or something else to sit on and feel free to bring a picnic.

• Movies in the Park presents Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012, PG) starring Zachary Gordon and Robert Capron Friday, July 17, at 8 p.m. at Robinson Park. School is out and Greg is ready for the days of summer when all his plans go wrong.

• The Old Pasadena Film Festival presents Galaxy Quest (1999, PG) starring Alan Rickman and Sigourney Weaver Friday, July 17, at 8:30 p.m. in the courtyard at One Colorado. The alumni cast of a space opera television series must play their roles for real when an alien race needs their help.